The DPA is one of the largest conservation groups on Dartmoor. Each year our volunteers put in an astonishing 800 days of conservation work on the moor. We undertake a range of different conservation projects during the course of a year, depending on the season – mainly gorse and scrub clearance in the autumn and winter. Bracken cutting and surveying are our usual summer activities. We are sensitive to the needs of wildlife and have a spell during the bird nesting season – in late Spring and early Summer – when we avoid clearance work on the moor. Dartmoor is an important area for ground nesting birds and many other species use the gorse and other scrub to build their nest in.

Our last DPA workday before bird nesting season began was Thursday, March 13th and Team Leader Jane Hannaford welcomed 7 volunteers from Babcock Marine Ltd, Plymouth to join the 10 DPA volunteers in finishing the work of revealing the Brimpt’s Tin Mine Leat that runs W to E across the Huccaby Outer Enclosure.

Here’s more on the day from Jane: ‘It was a chilly, dry day around 6/7 degrees. This area can be boggy in places so it was pleasing that it was dry underfoot. This made the day so much more enjoyable. Apparently the driest March on record since 1961.This was our second and last day of clearing the Leat. It was completely covered in thick  gorse, rushes and tussocks. As we started to uncover the site we realised the Leat was much wider than first imagined. 

The group from Babcock Marine were great company, enthusiastic, hardworking and interested in the archaeology and history of the area. It was their first experience of a volunteering day out on the moor. An enjoyable day was had by one and all.’

Companies looking for activities for their Volunteer Workday initiative are always welcome to join us for a conservation workday. Individuals are also welcome to join us for our workdays, and there is no need to be a DPA member to come along and take part. Joining the us for volunteer work is a fantastic way to get out on the moor, make a positive difference for the landscape and socialise with like minded people. Find our schedule of free workdays and guided walks in our online diary.

Image: Babcock Marine Employee Volunteers, by Jane Hannaford.